Friday, April 30, 2010

DOUBLE champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) were held 2-2 by Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) in Division One of the MHF-Milo-NSCJunior Hockey League at the Tun Razak Stadium yesterday.. BJSS' title hopes virtually ended with the draw, and if they play like theydid against PJCC, will be in big trouble when they square off against titlecontenders UniKL tomorrow at the same venue.BJSS struggled to find their footing in the first half and were in the receiving end most of the time, but capatalised on their counter-attacks to score both the goals. PJCC had eight penalty corners but could not tuck the ball in as their set-pieces were too complicated. BJSS took the lead off Faridzul Afiq in the eight minute and Faridzul increased the lead in the 31st minute off a freak goal. He took a tame shot at goal from the fringes of the semi-circle, and PJCC goalkeeper Ahmad Syahir opened his legs to let the ball in because he felt the shot was taken from outside the scoring circle. The umpire awarded a goal, but a minute before the half-time hooter PJCC won a penalty stroke and Ismat Imadi tucked in to narrow the score. The second half also saw PJCC dominating attack and winning penaltycorners, and Izat Hakimi deflected in a penalty corner attempt in the 65thminute to draw level and salvage a point. In Division Two, Ipoh City Council burst Sabah’s bubble with a 3-1 win after Harris Fadila (14th), Mohamed Saifuddin (31st) and Azrul Fazrin (67th) were on target. The Sabah goal was scored by Herik Ahmad in the 63rd minute. Also in Division Two, Pahang had a close call before they edged Penang Free School 5-4 to strengthen their title quest. Fahmi Abdullah delivered a hat-trick for Pahang in the 25th, 27th and 40th minutes while the other goals were scored by Hafiz Zainol in the 58th and Zulhannan Mazlan in the 61st. The Penang goals were scored by Hafify Rodzi (fourth, 68th), Ammar Adly (37th) and Uzair Ahmad (49th). RESULTS: Division One --Petaling Jaya City Council 2 Bukit Jalil Sports School 2. Division Two: Pahang 5 Penang Frees 4; Johor 1 Matri 1; Ipoh City Council 3 Sabah 1. TOMORROW: Division One -- Bukit Jalil Sports School v UniKL (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm); Kelantan v PJCC (Kuala Tereng ganu, 5pm); Anderson vs BPSS Juniors (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm). Division Two: Datuk Taha v Ipoh City Council (Tampin 5pm); Kuala Selangor v Pahang (Pandamaran, 3pm); Sabah v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Pandamaran, 5pm); Johor v Penang Frees (Johor Baru, 5pm)

TWO title contenders will lock-horns this weekend, with the victor having a clearer path to the Division One title in the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League. Leaders UniKL and defending champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) will square off on Sunday and it could mean the end of the title dream for one. But if the match ends in a draw, the advantage will move to to Bandar Penawar Sports School Thunderbolt. Thus both teams have a lot at stake this weekend and will have to dish out something special. The above three teams are also in the running for a quarter-finals slot, with one more win to cement their spot. BJSS coach S. Prakash said that this would be do-or-die weekend: “First we must beat PJCC (Petaling Jaya City Council) tomorrow (today) and I don’t think it will be an easy match as they have picked up momentum since their first three defeats. “It will be a match where we will have to control from start to end as PJCC will also be looking for points to play in the quarter-finals,” said Prakash. “And if we beat PJCC, then UniKL will be the big test as our title defense will be on the line.” BPSS-Thunderbolt also has one match this weekend against BJSS Juniors but they should win the match and it would prepare them for the match against UniKL the fol lowing weekend. In Division Two the title race is turning to a toss among Ipoh City Council, Sabah and Pahang. All three are unbeaten, with Ipoh CC and Sabah clashing first today with ground advantage going to the Council side. Sabah is a surprise item, and it looks like their recent outing in the Razak Cup has cemented team spirit. TODAY: Division One --Petaling Jaya City Council v Bukit Jalil Sports School (Tun Razak Stadium, 9pm). Division Two: Pahang v Penang Frees (Kuantan Stadium, 5pm); Johor v Matri (Johor Baru, 5pm); Ipoh City Council v Sabah (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm). SUNDAY: Division One -- Bukit Jalil Sports School v UniKL (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm); Kelantan v PJCC (Kuala Tereng ganu, 5pm); Anderson vs BPSS Juniors (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm). Division Two: Datuk Taha v Ipoh City Council (Tampin 5pm); Kuala Selangor v Pahang (Pandamaran, 3pm); Sabah v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Pandamaran, 5pm); Johor v Penang Frees (Johor Baru, 5pm)

It only took Australia minutes of the first half to earn their first couple Penalty Corner and with a fantastic option off the top of the circle to Ashleigh NELSON allowed Australia to open the score. The Australian attacking wave continued without slowing down. However Malaysia challenged them in defense following the lead of Malaysia’s Siti Noor Amarina RUHANI An excellent effort by Teneal ATTARD allowed Australia to create a new scoring opportunity that Madonna BLYTH utilized to score Australia’s second goal. The wave continued, and Madonna BLYTH scores again after a great build up attack from the left side of the field. The last goal of Australia in the first half was of a Penalty Corner option with Kate HOLLYWOOD. Australia pressured Malaysia’s defense zone with great passes and generating greater numerical advantage on the ball at all times. Malaysia, in their third game of this tournament started to show signs of their challenges arriving late to the tournament and perhaps fatigue was becoming a factor trying to keep up with the fast and determinant Australian team. The five goals scored in the second half were result of a disciplined team that continue to work together, moving the ball very effectively along with efficient movement by all players. Ashleigh NELSON scored their fifth goal, then a Penalty Stroke, second for Malaysia in this tournament, was called by umpired Amy HASSICK from USA. Malaysia’s goalkeeper Farah Ayuni YAHYA had not chance against Australian’s striker Nicole ARROLD who scored with a fast high flick to the right corner of the net. In the second last Penalty Corner of this game, Ashleigh NELSON scores in a rebound and then again her fourth goal of this game. Only seconds left in the game and Australia was looking for more, they score their last and ninth goal of this match with an impressive attack that Madonna BLYTH utilized to score her third goal in this game Game final score 9-0 for Australia

ALWAYS HAPPY

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Always Somewhere..

Sports Journalist with the New Straits Times since 1994.
My main beat is field hockey, so this blog will have stories that I have written for the NST, as well as hockey news from around the globe. There will be regular updates. I was also the Secretary General of the National Press Club, Malaysia for three terms (six years).